Conclusion
Conclusion
[Voice: author]
[001]
This story provoked so much laughter that the jaws of every one
in the company ached; and all the ladies by common consent
acknowledged that Dioneo was right, and pronounced Bernabò a
blockhead.
[002]
But when the story was ended and the laughter had
subsided, the queen, observing that the hour was now late, and that
with the completion of the day's story-telling the end of her
sovereignty was come, followed the example of her predecessor, and
took off her wreath and set it on Neifile's brow, saying with gladsome
mien,
Now, dear gossip, thine be the sovereignty of this little
people;
and so she resumed her seat.
[003]
Neifile coloured somewhat
to receive such honour, shewing of aspect even as the fresh-blown
rose of April or May in the radiance of the dawn, her eyes rather
downcast, and glowing with love's fire like the morning-star. But
when the respectful murmur, by which the rest of the company gave
blithe token of the favour in which they held their queen, was
hushed, and her courage revived, she raised herself somewhat more
in her seat than she was wont, and thus spoke:
[004]
As so it is that
I am your queen, I purpose not to depart from the usage observed
by my predecessors, whose rule has commanded not only your
obedience but your approbation. I will therefore in few words
explain to you the course which, if it commend itself to your
wisdom, we will follow.
[005]
To-morrow, you know, is Friday, and the
next day Saturday, days which most folk find somewhat wearisome
by reason of the viands which are then customary, to say nothing of
the reverence in which Friday is meet to be held, seeing that 'twas
on that day that He who died for us bore His passion; wherefore
'twould be in my judgment both right and very seemly, if, in honour
of God, we then bade story-telling give place to prayer.
[006]
On
Saturday ladies are wont to wash the head, and rid their persons of
whatever of dust or other soilure they may have gathered by the
labours of the past week; not a few, likewise, are wont to practise
abstinence for devotion to the Virgin Mother of the Son of God,
and to honour the approaching Sunday by an entire surcease from
work. Wherefore, as we cannot then completely carry out our
plan of life, we shall, I think, do well to intermit our story-telling
on that day also.
[007]
We shall then have been here four days; and
lest we should be surprised by new-comers, I deem it expedient that
we shift our quarters, and I have already taken thought for our next
place of sojourn.
[008]
Where, being arrived on Sunday, we will assemble
after our sleep; and, whereas to-day our discourse has had an ample
field to range in, I propose, both because you will thereby have more
time for thought, and it will be best to set some limits to the license
of our story-telling, that of the many diversities of Fortune's handiwork
we make one our theme, whereof I have also made choice,
[009]
to
wit, the luck of such as have painfully acquired some much-coveted
thing, or having lost, have recovered it. Whereon let each meditate
some matter, which to tell may be profitable or at least delectable to
the company, saving always Dioneo's privilege.
[010] All applauded the queen's speech and plan, to which, therefore, it was decided to give effect. Thereupon the queen called her seneschal, told him where to place the tables that evening, and then explained to him all that he had to do during the time of her sovereignty. This done, she rose with her train, and gave leave to all to take their pleasure as to each might seem best. [011] So the ladies and the men hied them away to a little garden, where they diverted themselves a while; then supper-time being come, they supped with all gay and festal cheer. When they were risen from the table, Emilia, at the queen's command, led the dance, while Pampinea, the other ladies responding, sang the ensuing song.
[016] Some other songs and dances followed, to the accompaniment of divers sorts of music; after which, the queen deeming it time to go to rest, all, following in the wake of the torches, sought their several chambers. The next two days they devoted to the duties to which the queen had adverted, looking forward to the Sunday with eager expectancy.